I had a horrible experience last time when I traveled overseas. Some garlic olive oil was spilled on my soft-sided suitcase. Also, the airline tore the fabric of my heavy-duty camping backpack.

I am now contemplating using the luggage skrink wrapping service. Does anyone know how much it costs at LAX/FCO/Orly/Heathrow? I don't think I will have time to shop for a hard-sided suitcase (which is likely to be heavy) but may consider the purchase if the shrink-wrapping costs are high enough to justify the expense and time.

Also, what are the inconveniences and risks (such as having to volunteer for inspection, customs opening my bag without my presence and not wrapping it back...)?


Thanks!

'kay, here's what I know...
I bought a gorgeous piece of luggage for my daughter in an Orient Express shop in Paris, used it to pack all of my extra stuff in, and then had it shrink-wrapped at CDG in Paris...5E a bag, I think. The best part? I had a Du-O-mo umbrella that I bought in Florence (...and I might add, have NEVER used since!!! ) and it was such a pain in the petutti to carry with me, so I had the guy shrink-wrap it in the same package as the luggage! Perfect!

Do it, it's a great idea! It takes them no time at all to wrap the bags, et voila! There you are...no way for anything to spill out of the bags or spill onto them and stain them.

"Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel!" ~ Yogi Berra
Brenda

The thing you have to think about is, what if they decide they want to inspect your luggage along the way? Don't get anything wrapped that will fall apart if someone cuts off your wrap to inspect your stuff, because they aren't going to be all nice and wrap it up again.